Illiberal Narratives and Shifting Values: Examining Competing Visions of the U.S. and its Role in the World

Geopolitical narratives—and the policies they supported in the post-World War II international system—are in a moment of transition, driven in part by an illiberal shift unfolding within democracies, including in the United States. On June 10, 2025, Carnegie Council assembled a group of scholars and practitioners from the policy, media, communications, legal, and academic sectors to examine the rise of illiberal narratives emanating from within the U.S. government and the recent dismantling of U.S. soft power institutions. The following report showcases key insights from the initial convening and explores the potential consequences for the international system.

Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs is an independent and nonpartisan nonprofit. The views expressed within this project are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the position of Carnegie Council.